At the First International Convention of AA in Cleveland OH in 1950, the organization began a five year experiment designed to turn the reins over from the Founders to the Membership via the General Service Conference. At the time of this talk the Board of Trustees was still known as the Alcoholic Foundation. The Membership had not yet met as a Conference. The Twelve Traditions had only been in effect for seven months. Dr. Bob had been dead only three months. The Concepts were not to be adopted until 1962.

Bill states in this talk that 1951 may be seen as one of the Turning Points in the History of AA. Here he delivers, for possibly one of the first times, his often repeated theme talk on The Cathedral of the Spirit.